Which Translation?

The bottom line: use more than one.

If you're not going to learn Hebrew and Greek and laboriously translate each text every time you want to read the Bible, you'll need to depend on someone else's translation. Most translations seem pretty good but no translation can be everything to everyone. Because there are some legitimately tough decisions to make, it's highly unlikely you'll agree, or even be aware, of all of them. So seek balance by looking at more than one translation.

Things to consider:

• It's helpful to note the difference between a translation and paraphrase. Translations are usually trustworthy from which to study where paraphrases are not. But paraphrases, like a good commentary, can open your eyes to new angles and be quite enjoyable.
  
• If you've never heard of a particular translation, try to discover where the publisher is coming from theologically and whether they seem legitimate. There are translations that are compromised by their agendas. Ask other Christians, too.
• Understand whether the translation is trying to show you the original words used or the original thoughts conveyed. It's hard, if not impossible, to do both at the same time.

I almost always use the NIV when I preach because it is so common. I appreciate the New Living Translation, New American Standard, Revised Standard Version, even the King James at times. Some of my books and computer programs use various translations, some of which are pretty obscure, but it's all helpful.